East coast humpback population grows

15 July 2006 — 12:59am

An annual survey has confirmed the continued steady growth of the humpback whale population off Australia's east coast.

Cape Byron Whale Research Project coordinator Dan Burns believes there was an annual migration of about 7,500 to 8,000 humpback whales off the east coast, which was increasing annually by about 10 per cent.

He said in a 12-day period researchers counted 792 whales - including the well known white humpback Migaloo.

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This was compared to previous largest count of 844 whales in 2004 over a 16-day period.

"If we had done a full 16 days I'm sure we would have broken the record," said Mr Burns who is completing his PhD at the Southern Cross University (SCU)

"This is continuing the trend of steady recovery of the humpback population, but we are still a long way from pre-whaling numbers (of about 30,000)."

But Mr Burns said with the Japanese set next year to annually take 50 humpbacks out of Antarctic waters, the population would be under pressure again, while valuable research also could be lost.

He said while the eastern Australian population could withstand the impact of the small scale whaling, other breeding populations in the south Pacific might not.

"They could be taking the last 50 whales that are going to Fiji," Mr Burns said.

"We also know that this could be the last time we can do a solid count before the Japanese begin their program.

"This so-called scientific whaling has the potential to seriously impact on our ability to collect information on the life histories of these whales, including the much-loved Migaloo."

The annual survey was conducted by SCU's Whale Research Centre in collaboration with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Cape Byron Trust, the University of Newcastle and the NSW Marine Parks Authority.

Mr Burns said the count got off to a spectacular start with a sighting of Migaloo, an albino whale, flanked by several other whales and a pod of dolphins, as he travelled north.

Other highlights of this year's survey included a minke whale, and three female whales travelling with calves believed to be around a week old.